The fifth library location honors community history and enables an expansion of services

A library with history

The library originally opened in the DeForest Village Hall as a joint facility with the Town of Windsor, and it has gone through several changes as both communities have grown. In 1975, the library moved to a former Madison Power and Light building. Just five years later it moved again, into a converted liquor store in Constitution Plaza. In 1992 the library moved to a vacant space at the opposite end of the Plaza, and at the turn of the millennium, the community began planning for a fifth location.

The Village of DeForest Library director and library board of directors president, in cooperation with Bray Associates Architects, selected National to serve as the construction manager. National assisted with design, supervised the entire construction process, and handled budgeting, cost control, material selection, scheduling, change orders, invoicing and payments.

35,132 square foot library in downtown DeForest

Norwegian stave church inspired architecture

Heavy timber structure

Circulation desk

First floor children's library

Children's library

Media area

View of the heavy timber structure from the first floor

Stairway leading to second floor

Stairway

Large glass windows allow for natural lighting

Library shelving

Library book and magazine display rack

Second floor overlooking circulation desk

View of the heavy timber structure from the second floor

Overlooking children's library and circulation desk

Norwegian inspiration

Designed to reflect the rich Norwegian background of the DeForest community, the building is a contemporary interpretation of stave churches built throughout Norway around the 14th century. The natural stone base, heavy timber structure, and steep pitched roof are particularly reminiscent of these ancient buildings.

Four dragons are mounted on the roof of the library, each made up of 14 different pieces and weighing 100 pounds.

Other exterior features of the 35,132 square foot building include diamond shaped, copper shingles and a glass façade with patterned lannon stone. Materials include a concrete foundation, precast concrete, structural steel, laminated wood beams and a wood roof deck.

Code requires change

A site in the heart of downtown DeForest was selected. After initial design and budget work was completed, it was determined that 2,000 square foot needed to be added to meet code. National Construction value-engineered the plan to accomplish this goal, without increasing the budget, compromising the design or extending the construction timeline.

A community facility

The central location and functional design of the new library provides community members with more space and services, including meeting and study rooms, computers, self-checkout stations, and notary, database and tax resources.

"Throughout the process, the firm was sensitive to our needs and concerns, and was rapid and thorough in response to any request for change."

Judith EskerDirector, DeForest Area Public Library

Facts at a GlanceNorwegian stave church inspired architecture35,132 square foot building in downtown DeForest2,000 square feet added midway through project to meet code without affecting budget or timeline